Incest trial of 13 family members starts

Thirteen members of one family went on trial in France today on charges of
raping or sexually assaulting their children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews.

The case came to light in September 2001 when a 16-year-old son of the
family, who had already been sentenced for raping his sister, told police family
members had sexually assaulted him since the age of five.

The boy's grandfather, a farmer in south-western France, is charged with
assaulting his four children from an early age with the help of his wife.

His 10 grandchildren were victims of sexual offences said to have been
committed not only by their grandparents but also by their parents, uncles and
aunts, according to the charges filed.

The youngest victims were only a few months old.

The 13 accused men and women, aged between 29 and 74, are charged with the
rape of minors, gang rape, barbarous acts and sexual assault. Their trial in the
south-western Lot-et-Garonne region is expected to last three weeks.